St. John’s is dripping in history, and so is the Rendell Shea Manor. It was the home of the prominent business people, politicians, and pioneering women.
It is now the home of a magnificent, family-run guesthouse. We are artists, business people, economists, fundraisers, editors, writers, and publishers.
Two of the owners live onsite, so you can rest assured your stay with us will be fantastic.
Setting
On the corner of Cochrane Street and Military Road in the historic east end of downtown St. John’s, Newfoundland: a magnificent three-storey manor painted in pastel yellow.
Across Military Road: Government House and Bannerman Park.
Down the hill of Cochrane Street: St. John’s harbour front.
Inside the house: charm, friendliness, history, stories.
Cast of Characters:
George Rendell
A prominent businessman from Devon, England, George Rendell had a daughter, Margaret, in 1863 and had our house built in 1879.
Margaret Rendell-Shea
Margaret Rendell was the first Newfoundland-born professionally-trained nurse. She was appointed matron of the General Hospital and was one of the first women in Newfoundland to own a car. She was known for ripping through the city streets at “reckless speeds.” In 1901, she married George Shea and they had a son, Captain Ambrose Shea, in 1908. She lived in this house until her death on May 18, 1949.
George Shea
Son of the prominent politician (and literal knight) Sir Edward Dalton Shea. Nephew of the Father of Confederation, Governor of the Bahamas, and literal knight Sir Ambrose Shea. Imagine if your father and uncle were literal knights. Wild. George Shea occasionally served as acting Prime Minister when Richard Squires (Prime Minister from 1919-1923 and 1928-1932) was absent. No big deal.
Captain Ambrose Shea
Son to Margaret Rendell-Shea and George Shea. Named after his uncle, Sir Ambrose Shea (the literal knight, see above.) Captain Shea served in the British and Canadian Armed Forces and has a CN ferry named after him. He also served as private secretary to two Lieutenant Governors. He lived in this house until his death in 1978 and was the last of the Shea family.